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Oscar Predictions: Best Documentary Short

Unlike the other two short categories, the nominees for Best Documentary Short had to viewed at one of the offical academy screenings as “God is the Bigger Elvis” is not included in the Shorts International program running in theaters nationwide due to licensing issues.

That film profiles one-time ingenue Dolores Hart who left Hollywood in 1963 to become a Benedictine nun. Director Rebecca Cammisa contended for Best Documentary Feature in 2009 for “Which Way Home.”

“Incident in New Baghdad” looks at the live of Ethan McCord, a solider suffering from post-trauamatic stress disorder following a tragedy during a tour of duty in Iraq. This is the first Oscar nomination for director James Spione.

“Saving Face” follows a British surgeon back to Pakistan as he helps women injured in acid attacks. Director Daniel Junge contended in this race in 2009 for “The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner” (2009).

In the days leading to the election of Barack Obama, “The Barber of Birmingham” profiles James Armstrong, a civil rights activist who looks back to the early days of the movement. This is the first nomination for director Robin Fryday.

“The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom” visits the hardest-hit region of Japan as its residents find solace in the annual cherry blossom season. Director Lucy Walker was nominated last year for Best Documentary Feature for “Waste Land.”

Click on the pundits below to see a breakdown of their rankings in this race.